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Kerstersia gyiorum is a Gram-negative bacterium found in various animals, including humans, where it has been associated with various infections. Knowledge of the basic biology of K. gyiorum is essential to understand the evolutionary strategies of niche adaptation and how this organism contributes to infectious diseases; however, genomic data about K. gyiorum is very limited, especially from non-human hosts. In this work, we sequenced 12 K. gyiorum genomes isolated from healthy free-living brown-throated sloths (Bradypus variegatus) in the Parque Estadual das Fontes do Ipiranga (São Paulo, Brazil), and compared them with genomes from isolates of human origin, in order to gain insights into genomic diversity, phylogeny, and host specialization of this species. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that these K. gyiorum strains are structured according to host. Despite the fact that sloth isolates were sampled from a single geographic location, the intra-sloth K. gyiorum diversity was divided into three clusters, with differences of more than 1,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms between them, suggesting the circulation of various K. gyiorum lineages in sloths. Genes involved in mobilome and defense mechanisms against mobile genetic elements were the main source of gene content variation between isolates from different hosts. Sloth-specific K. gyiorum genome features include an IncN2 plasmid, a phage sequence, and a CRISPR-Cas system. The broad diversity of defense elements in K. gyiorum (14 systems) may prevent further mobile element flow and explain the low amount of mobile genetic elements in K. gyiorum genomes. Gene content variation may be important for the adaptation of K. gyiorum to different host niches. This study furthers our understanding of diversity, host adaptation, and evolution of K. gyiorum, by presenting and analyzing the first genomes of non-human isolates.

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Xenarthra mammals can be found from southern North America to southern South America, including all Brazilian biomes. Although it has been shown that Xenarthra mammals can play a role as reservoirs for several zoonotic agents, few studies investigate the diversity of piroplasmids (Apicomplexa: Piroplasmida) in this group of mammals. Taking into account that piroplasmids can cause disease in animals and humans, understanding the prevalence and diversity of piroplasmids in Xenarthra mammals would contribute to conservation efforts for this group of animals as well as to infer risk areas for transmission of emergent zoonosis. The present study aimed to investigate the occurrence and molecular identity of piroplasmids in free-living mammals of the Superorder Xenarthra from four Brazilian states (Mato Grosso do Sul, São Paulo, Rondônia, and Pará). For this, DNA was extracted from blood or spleen samples from 455 animals. A nested PCR based on the 18S rRNA gene was used as screening for piroplasmids. Of the 455 samples analyzed, 25 (5.5%) were positive. Additionally, PCR assays based on 18S rRNA near-complete, cox-1, cox-3, hsp70, cytB, ß-tubulin genes and the ITS-1 intergenic region were performed. Five out of 25 positive samples also tested positive for ITS-1-based PCR. The phylogenetic analysis positioned three 18S rRNA sequences detected in Priodontes maximus into the same clade of Babesia sp. detected in marsupials (Didelphis albiventris, Didelphis marsupialis, and Monodelphis domestica) and Amblyomma dubitatum collected from opossums and coatis in Brazil. On the other hand, the 18S rRNA sequence obtained from Dasypus novemcinctus was closely related to a Theileria sp. sequence previously detected in armadillos from Mato Grosso State, grouping in a subclade within the Theileria sensu stricto clade. In the phylogenetic analysis based on the ITS-1 region, the sequences obtained from Myrmecophaga tridactyla and Tamandua tetradactyla were placed into a single clade, apart from the other piroplasmid clades. The present study demonstrated the molecular occurrence of Piroplasmida in anteaters and Babesia sp. and Theileria sp. in armadillos from Brazil.

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Sloths have dense fur on which insects, algae, bacteria and fungi coexist. Previous studies using cultivation-dependent methods and 18S rRNA sequencing revealed that the fungal communities in their furs comprise members of the phyla Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. In this note, we increase the resolution and knowledge of the mycobiome inhabiting the fur of the two- (Choloepus hoffmanni) and three-toed (Bradypus variegatus) sloths. Targeted amplicon metagenomic analysis of ITS2 nrDNA sequences obtained from 10 individuals of each species inhabiting the same site revealed significant differences in the structure of their fungal communities and also in the alpha-diversity estimators. The results suggest a specialization by host species and that the host effect is stronger than that of sex, age and animal weight. Capnodiales were the dominant order in sloths' fur and Cladosporium and Neodevriesia were the most abundant genera in Bradypus and Choloepus, respectively. The fungal communities suggest that the green algae that inhabit the fur of sloths possibly live lichenized with Ascomycota fungal species. The data shown in this note offer a more detailed view of the fungal content in the fur of these extraordinary animals and could help explain other mutualistic relationships in this complex ecosystem.

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ABSTRACT: The present study aimed to analyze the casuistry of xenarthrans treated at the veterinary hospital of the Federal University of Pará to quantify the most important cases for clinical care and identify the main species, sex, age group, origin, and destination of the animals admitted. The data were collected from January 2013 to August 2020. The variables analyzed were the number of animals by species, sex, age group, weight (kilograms), form of admission (rescue or guardianship), person responsible for the admission of the animal, origin, circumstances of admission, length of stay (days), and evolution or destination of the animal (release, captivity, death, euthanasia, or escape). Fisher's exact test was used to determine whether disease incidence was related to sex and whether animal mortality was influenced by sex and disease. The chi-square test was used to determine whether mortality differed by age group. Ninety-two (92) xenarthrans were included: 66 Bradypus variegatus, 10 Choloepus didactylus, 15 Tamandua tetradactyla, and one Dasypus novemcinctus. The animals were mainly from the municipality of Castanhal (70%) and were acquired through rescue (88%, B. variegatus; 80%, C. didactylus; 100%, T. tetradactyla), a significant proportion of which was per natural persons (88%, B. variegatus; 80%, C. didactylus; 100%, T. tetradactyla). The most important circumstances that led to the admission of the animals were as follows: animals for examination (42%, n=39), young animals at risk (9%, n=8), hit by a vehicle (8%, n=7), respiratory disease (7%, n=6), fall from a tree (5%, n=5), and electrotrauma (5%, n=5). Release was the most common destination of animals after hospitalization (59% B. variegatus, 50% C. didactylus, and 66% T. tetradactyla). The sex of the animals did not affect the incidence of disease or mortality in any species. In contrast, mortality of B. variegatus was significantly higher in animals admitted with disease (p=0.000). Mortality in cubs of this species was higher than that in juveniles and adults (p=0.003).

RESUMO: O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar a casuística dos Xenarthras atendidos no Hospital Veterinário da Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA), a fim de quantificar as principais ocorrências para atendimento clínico, identificar as principais espécies, o sexo, a faixa etária, a procedência e destinação dos animais recebidos. Os dados foram obtidos entre janeiro de 2013 a agosto de 2020. As variáveis analisadas foram número de animais por espécie, sexo, faixa etária, peso (quilogramas), forma de recebimento (resgate, tutela), responsável pelo encaminhamento do animal ao hospital, procedência, circunstância de admissão, tempo de internação (dias) e evolução ou destinação do animal recebido (soltura, cativeiro, morte, eutanásia, fuga). O teste de Fisher foi utilizado para avaliar se a ocorrência de doenças estava relacionada ao sexo, bem como se a mortalidade animal foi influenciada pelo sexo e por enfermidades. O teste Qui-quadrado foi utilizado para avaliar se a mortalidade diferiu em relação à faixa etária. Um total de 92 animais Xenarthras foi admitido, composto por 66 Bradypus variegatus, 10 Choloepus didactylus, 15 Tamandua tetradactyla e um Dasypus novemcinctus. Os animais foram procedentes principalmente do município de Castanhal (70%), sendo o resgate a principal forma de aquisição dos animais (88%, B. Variegatus; 80%, C. Didactylus; 100%, T. tetradactyla), realizado em maior parte por pessoa física (88%, B. Variegatus; 80%, C. Didactylus; 100%, T. tetradactyla). O sexo dos animais não influenciou a ocorrência de doenças ou mortalidade em nenhuma espécie. Por outro lado, a mortalidade de B. variegatus foi significativamente maior naqueles animais admitidos com alguma enfermidade (p=0,000). A mortalidade em filhotes desta espécie foi maior quando comparada com as categorias jovem e adulta (p=0,003).

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Although mammals of the superorder Xenarthra are considered hosts of a wide range of zoonotic agents, works aiming at investigating the role of these animals as hosts for bacteria with zoonotic potential are rare. The present study aimed to investigate the occurrence and molecularly characterize Coxiella burnetii and haemoplasma (haemotropic mycoplasmas) DNA in blood and spleen samples from 397 free-living Xenarthra mammals (233 sloths, 107 anteaters and 57 armadillos) in five Brazilian states (Mato Grosso do Sul, São Paulo, Pará, Rondônia and Rio Grande do Sul). All biological samples from Xenarthra were negative in the qPCR for Coxiella burnetii based on the IS1111 gene. The absence of C. burnetii DNA in blood and spleen samples from Xenarthra suggests that these mammals may not act as possible hosts for this agent in the locations studied. When performed conventional PCR assays for the endogenous (gapdh) mammalian gene, 386 samples were positive. When screened by molecular assays based on the 16S rRNA gene of haemoplasmas, 81 samples were positive, of which 15.54% (60/386) were positive by conventional PCR and 5.44% (21/386) were positive by real-time PCR; three samples were positive in both assays. Of these, 39.74% (31/78) were also positive for the 23S rRNA gene and 7.69% (6/78) for the haemoplasma RNAse P gene. Among the samples positive for haemoplasmas, 25.64% (20/78) were obtained from anteaters (Tamandua tetradactyla and Myrmecophaga tridactyla), 39.74% (31/78) from sloths (Bradypus tridactylus, Bradypus sp. and Choloepus sp.) 34.61% (27/78) from armadillos (Priodontes maximus, Euphractus sexcinctus and Dasypus novemcinctus). A haemoplasma 16S rRNA sequence closely related and showing high identity (99.7%) to Mycoplasma wenyonii was detected, for the first time, in B. tridactylus. Based on the low identity and phylogenetic positioning of 16S rRNA and 23S rRNA sequences of haemoplasmas detected in anteaters and armadillos, the present study showed, for the first time, the occurrence of putative new Candidatus haemotropic Mycoplasma spp. ("Candidatus Mycoplasma haematotetradactyla" and "Candidatus Mycoplasma haematomaximus") in Xenarthra mammals from Brazil.

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Background: The Choloepus didactylus is characterized by having 2 fingers on the forelimbs and 3 on the hind limbs, being found more frequently in northern South America, in countries such as Venezuela, Guyana, Ecuador, Peru, and Brazil. In Brazil, deforestation of the Amazon rainforest has threatened the survival of C. didactylus. In addition, these animals can be affected by several diseases, being those of the musculoskeletal system with limited reports. Thus, the present report aimed to describe the treatment and evolution of an open fracture of the femur in a free-living Choloepus didactylus, which after rehabilitation was released back to the wild. Case: A free-living female two-toed sloth (Choloepus didactylus), weighing 7.0 kg, was found in Manaus city and referred to the Wild Animal Treatment Center (CETAS - IBAMA-AM) located in Amazonas, Brazil, after initial treatment and osteosynthesis in a private clinic (CVMinasPet). According to history, the animal had suffered electrocution 30 days ago and, as a result, had an extensive wound that resulted in the exposure of the knee joint, distal fracture of the femur, and areas of necrosis in the right pelvic limb. After cleansing of the area and removal of necrotic tissues, the fracture was stabilized with the cross-pinning technique (2 Steinmann pins). Then, the stifle joint was stabilized with external skeletal fixation (Type 1b, unilateral biplanar). The external fixator and cross-pins were removed 2 months after the surgical procedure, being observed bone healing. Next, the animal underwent physical rehabilitation for 30 days. After the rehabilitation period, a microchip and a radio collar were applied, and the sloth was released back to the wild. Discussion: Electrocution has been one of the causes of wildlife rescue, with consequences varying depending on the degree of the burn. Generally, the burn is most severe at the entry and exit sites. Since suspensory quadrupedal locomotion requires that sloths have specialized hands and feet to connect with the supports, probably the animal of the current report touched the right pelvic limb on a high-tension pole. The cross-pinning technique combined with the external fixator was used because the animal had an exposed Salter-Harris type I fracture with soft tissue loss. The younger the animal presents physeal fractures, the greater is the chance of developing growth abnormalities due to growth plate closure caused by fracture type or immobilization method. Since the sloth was a free-living animal, the age was unknown. However, pelvic limb length discrepancy was not observed after removing the implants. Culture and antimicrobial susceptibility test were not done and may be considered a limitation of this report. However, the application of ceftriaxone was adequate to control the infection, since the animal did not show signs of infection or draining sinus tracts. Ceftriaxone is a third-generation antibiotic that can be used in chronic osteomyelitis. In addition, the animal in the present report showed good adaptation to captive conditions that contributed to the clinical management. The longevity of the sloth in captivity can reach more than 30 years, but the goal is always to return the animal to nature after the treatment. Surgical treatment of the fracture and physical therapy after implant removal allowed this action in the current report, confirmed by monitoring with the radio collar.

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The aim of this study was to establish reference parameters for the hematological and biochemical levels of five healthy captive sloths of the speciesBradypus variegatus(brown-throated sloth) feeding onCecropia pachystachya(Ambay pumpwood), alternating with a period of free diet in the Dois Irmãos State Park (DISP) Recife, Pernambuco - Brazil.(AU)

O objetivo da presente pesquisa foi estabelecer parâmetros de referência para níveis hematológicos e bioquímicos, de cinco preguiças sadias, da espécie Bradypus variegatus (preguiça-de-garganta-marrom), em cativeiro, alimentando-se de Cecropia pachystachya (embaúba) em períodos alternados com dieta livre, no Parque Estadual de Dois Irmãos (PEDI) Recife, Pernambuco-Brasil.(AU)

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Sloths are notoriously slow and consequently have limited dispersal ability, which makes them particularly vulnerable to the effects of habitat fragmentation and degradation. Sloths in Costa Rica are considered of conservation concern due to habitat loss, livestock production and increasing urbanization. Reintroductions from rescue centres are commonplace across the country, yet their genetic diversity and population structure are unknown, and there is currently little consideration of the genetic background prior to intervention or releases. We used microsatellite analysis to undertake the first exploratory investigation into sloth population genetics in Costa Rica. Using data from 98 two-fingered sloths (Choloepus hoffmanni) from four different geographic regions, we determined the presence of four potential genetic groups, three of them with minimal population structuring despite the limited dispersal ability and presence of physical barriers. Sloths from the North appear to represent a highly distinct population that we propose may require management as a discrete unit for conservation. We stress the need for additional analyses to better understand the genetic structure and diversity of North andWest regions and suggest that rescue facilities in Costa Rica should consider the genetic background of rehabilitated sloths when planning future reintroductions. Our results also highlight the threat posed by physical isolation due to widespread urbanization and agriculture expansion for a species with a weak dispersal ability.

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Sloths are genetically and physiologically divergent mammals. Phleboviruses are major arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) causing disease in humans and other animals globally. Sloths host arboviruses, but virus detections are scarce. A phlebovirus termed Anhanga virus (ANHV) was isolated from a Brazilian Linnaeus's two-toed sloth (Choloepus didactylus) in 1962. Here, we investigated the presence of phleboviruses in sera sampled in 2014 from 74 Hoffmann's two-toed (Choloepus hoffmanni, n = 65) and three-toed (Bradypus variegatus, n = 9) sloths in Costa Rica by broadly reactive RT-PCR. A clinically healthy adult Hoffmann's two-toed sloth was infected with a phlebovirus. Viral load in this animal was high at 8.5 × 107  RNA copies/ml. The full coding sequence of the virus was determined by deep sequencing. Phylogenetic analyses and sequence distance comparisons revealed that the new sloth virus, likely representing a new phlebovirus species, provisionally named Penshurt virus (PEHV), was most closely related to ANHV, with amino acid identities of 93.1%, 84.6%, 94.7% and 89.0% in the translated L, M, N and NSs genes, respectively. Significantly more non-synonymous mutations relative to ANHV occurred in the M gene encoding the viral glycoproteins and in the NSs gene encoding a putative interferon antagonist compared to L and N genes. This was compatible with viral adaptation to different sloth species and with micro-evolutionary processes associated with immune evasion during the genealogy of sloth-associated phleboviruses. However, gene-wide mean dN/dS ratios were low at 0.02-0.15 and no sites showed significant evidence for positive selection, pointing to comparable selection pressures within sloth-associated viruses and genetically related phleboviruses infecting hosts other than sloths. The detection of a new phlebovirus closely-related to ANHV, in sloths from Costa Rica fifty years after and more than 3,000 km away from the isolation of ANHV confirmed the host associations of ANHV-related phleboviruses with the two extant species of two-toed sloths.

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Resumen El uso de técnicas no invasivas ni estresantes para determinar perfiles hormonales, como la medición de esteroides fecales, ha incrementado la comprensión de la fisiología reproductiva en animales silvestres. Debido a la escasa información con respecto a perfiles hormonales reproductivos del perezoso de dos dedos, Choloepus hoffmani, se realizó un estudio en hembras en cautiverio en el centro de rescate "Sloth Sanctuary" (Cahuita, Limón, Costa Rica) con el fin de determinar (i) la confiabilidad de la extracción de progesterona y estradiol en heces, y su cuantificación en el analizador AIA-360®, (ii) evaluar los parámetros sanguíneos en esta especie y (iii) establecer si existe una correlación entre los esteroides plasmáticos y fecales. El estudio se realizó en un periodo de tres meses, durante noviembre de 2013 a enero de 2014, con un total de 208 muestras de heces provenientes de cinco hembras sexualmente maduras, con peso promedio de 6.32 kg. El promedio de las concentraciones medianas en las heces de las cinco hembras fue 124.21 ng/g para progesterona y 1 708.95 pg/g de estradiol. En plasma, los valores de mediana fueron 1.26 ng/mL con un mínimo de 0.32 ng/mL y 12.84 ng/mL como valor máximo; los valores plasmáticos de estrógeno se encontraron por debajo del límite de detección del equipo (25 pg/mL). Aunque no se encontró una correlación estadísticamente significativa entre la progesterona plasmática y la fecal, nuestros datos sugieren que los eventos plasmáticos se reflejan en heces durante los dos días posteriores. Asimismo, los niveles de progesterona se mantuvieron elevados durante la primera mitad de noviembre, y posteriormente mostraron una reducción importante en todas las hembras. Nuestros resultados demuestran que las extracciones en heces y su medición en el AIA-360® permiten la detección y el seguimiento de variaciones hormonales en C. hoffmani, aunque no remplaza las mediciones plasmáticas para determinar valores absolutos.

Abstract In wild animal species, the use of non-invasive and non-stressful procedures to determine hormone profiles, such as fecal steroid measurements, has considerably increased the comprehension of their reproductive physiology. Since there is limited information related to the reproductive hormone profiles of the two-toed sloth, Choloepus hoffmani, a study was conducted in captive specimens at the "Sloth Sanctuary" (Cahuita, Limón, Costa Rica), in order to determine: (i) the reliability of the fecal progesterone and estrogen extraction and its quantification with an AIA-360® analyzer, (ii) assess blood parameters in this species and (iii) evaluate if there is a correlation between fecal and plasmatic steroids. The study was performed over a three-month period, from November, 2013 to January, 2014, with a total amount of 208 fecal samples collected from five sexually mature females weighing 6.32 kg in average. The average of the median concentrations of progesterone in feces of the five females was 124.21 ng/g, and 1 708.95 pg/g for estrogen. The average minimal and maximal values were 50.96 ng/g and 1 057.46 ng/g for progesterone and, 1 191.77 pg/g and 2 159.24 pg/g for estradiol. In plasma, progesterone median values were 1.26 ng/mL, showing a minimum of 0.32 ng/mL and 12.84 ng/mL as maximum values. The plasmatic estrogen levels were below the detection limit of the equipment (25 pg/mL). Although there was no strong statistical correlation between the fecal and plasmatic progesterone fluctuations, our data suggests that the plasmatic events are mostly reflected in feces two days afterwards. Also, the levels of progesterone were elevated during the first half of November and, subsequently, showed a successive and important reduction in all the females tested. Finally, our results demonstrated that fecal steroid extractions and their measurement in a AIA-360®, allowed the successful detection and represents an alternative non-invasive determination of hormone profiles in C. hoffmani. Rev. Biol. Trop. 66(1): 280-292. Epub 2018 March 01.

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Understanding how habitat quality in heterogeneous landscapes governs the distribution and fitness of individuals is a fundamental aspect of ecology. While mean individual fitness is generally considered a key to assessing habitat quality, a comprehensive understanding of habitat quality in heterogeneous landscapes requires estimates of dispersal rates among habitat types. The increasing accessibility of genomic approaches, combined with field-based demographic methods, provides novel opportunities for incorporating dispersal estimation into assessments of habitat quality. In this study, we integrated genomic kinship approaches with field-based estimates of fitness components and approximate Bayesian computation (ABC) procedures to estimate habitat-specific dispersal rates and characterize habitat quality in two-toed sloths (Choloepus hoffmanni) occurring in a Costa Rican agricultural ecosystem. Field-based observations indicated that birth and survival rates were similar in a sparsely shaded cacao farm and adjacent cattle pasture-forest mosaic. Sloth density was threefold higher in pasture compared with cacao, whereas home range size and overlap were greater in cacao compared with pasture. Dispersal rates were similar between the two habitats, as estimated using ABC procedures applied to the spatial distribution of pairs of related individuals identified using 3,431 single nucleotide polymorphism and 11 microsatellite locus genotypes. Our results indicate that crops produced under a sparse overstorey can, in some cases, constitute lower-quality habitat than pasture-forest mosaics for sloths, perhaps because of differences in food resources or predator communities. Finally, our study demonstrates that integrating field-based demographic approaches with genomic methods can provide a powerful means for characterizing habitat quality for animal populations occurring in heterogeneous landscapes.

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By exploiting unutilized resources, organisms expand into novel niches, which can lead to adaptive radiation. However, some groups fail to diversify despite the apparent opportunity to do so. Although arising multiple times, arboreal folivores are rare and have not radiated, presumably because of energetic constraints. To explore this hypothesis, we quantified the field metabolic rate (FMR), movement, and body temperature for syntopic two- and three-toed sloths, extreme arboreal folivores that differ in their degree of specialization. Both species expended little energy, but three-toed sloths (162 kJ/day*kg(0.734)) possessed the lowest FMR recorded for any mammal. Three-toed sloths were more heterothermic and moved less than two-toed sloths. We then compared FMRs and basal metabolic rates (BMRs) for 19 species of arboreal folivores along a spectrum of specialization. Overall, arboreal folivores had lower BMRs and FMRs than other mammals, and increasing specialization led to lower FMRs but not BMRs. Thus, reduced energetic expenditure in specialized species was the result of thermoregulatory and behavioral strategies, rather than simply a proportionate reduction in BMR. Altogether, our findings support the concept that arboreal folivores are tightly constrained by nutritional energetics and help to explain the lack of radiation among species exploiting a lifestyle in the trees.

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En la Universidad de la Amazonia, en Florencia, Caquetá - Colombia, se llevó a cabo la descripción anatómica detallada del espécimen adulto de la especie Bradypus variegatus, a través de la cual se abordan aspectos clave de la osamenta, correspondientes al esqueleto apendicular, conformado por los huesos del miembro torácico (escápula, húmero, radio, ulna, carpos, metacarpos y falanges) y pelviano (pelvis, sacro, fémur, rótula, tibia, peroné, tarso, metatarso y falanges). Asimismo, se describe el esqueleto axial que corresponde a la línea media del esqueleto, formando el eje del cuerpo a través de los huesos del cráneo, columna vertebral, costillas y esternón. La descripción se desarrolló teniendo en cuenta metodologías previas y considerando datos de descripciones anteriores llevadas a cabo por otros autores, en algunas estructuras. Los resultados se consideran un precepto en el conocimiento del área quirúrgica como pieza fundamental en el desarrollo de la veterinaria en especies de fauna silvestre.

At the University of Amazonia, in Florencia, Caqueta - Colombia, a detailed osteological description of adult specimen of the species brown-throated sloth developed or Bradypus variegatus, through which key skeleton aspects are addressed, for the skeleton apendicular, comprising the forelimb bones (scapula, humerus, radius, ulna, carpal bones, metacarpals and phalanges) and pelvic (pelvis, sacrum, femur, patella, tibia, fibula, tarsus, metatarsus and phalanges). Also, the axial skeleton corresponding to the middle line of the skeleton, forming the body axis through the skull bones, spine, ribs and sternum described. The description was developed considering previous methodologies and data considering previous descriptions carried out by other authors in some structures. The results are considered a precept knowledge of the surgical area as a cornerstone in the development of veterinary species of wildlife.

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Three cases of dermatophytosis in free living brown-throated three-toed sloths (Bradypus variegatus) in the Zona da Mata, North of Pernambuco State, Brazil, were studied. Two animals presented areas of alopecia on the pelvic member and thorax and one animal on the pelvic member only. The three animals presented scabs. Hair and scabs samples were submitted to microscopical examination after treatment with a 30 percent KOH and cultivated in Mycosel Agar. The direct examination indicated the presence of arthrospores in the hair. Colonies grown after seven days of culture were confirmed as Microsporum based on examination of the structure of the macroconidia. This is the first observation of dermatophytosis caused by Microsporum canis and Microsporum gypseum in free living sloths in the State of Pernambuco.

Foram estudados três casos de dermatofitose em preguiças-de-garganta-marrom (Bradypus variegatus) de vida livre na Zona da Mata, Norte do Estado de Pernambuco, Brasil. Dois animais apresentavam áreas de alopecia nos membros pélvicos e torácicos e um apenas no membro pélvico. Em todos os animais foi observada a presença de crostas. As amostras de pêlos e crostas foram submetidas ao exame microscópico direto com KOH a 30 por cento e cultivo em Ágar Mycosel. Ao exame direto foram observados artrosporos nos pêlos e sete dias após o cultivo foram observadas colônias sugestivas do gênero Microsporum, confirmadas através da observação da estrutura dos macroconídeos. Trata-se do primeiro relato de ocorrência de dermatofitose por Microsporum canis e Microsporum gypseum em preguiças de vida livre no Estado de Pernambuco.

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Three cases of dermatophytosis in free living brown-throated three-toed sloths (Bradypus variegatus) in the Zona da Mata, North of Pernambuco State, Brazil, were studied. Two animals presented areas of alopecia on the pelvic member and thorax and one animal on the pelvic member only. The three animals presented scabs. Hair and scabs samples were submitted to microscopical examination after treatment with a 30 % KOH and cultivated in Mycosel Agar. The direct examination indicated the presence of arthrospores in the hair. Colonies grown after seven days of culture were confirmed as Microsporum based on examination of the structure of the macroconidia. This is the first observation of dermatophytosis caused by Microsporum canis and Microsporum gypseum in free living sloths in the State of Pernambuco.

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We sequenced 12S RNA mtDNA for the majority of the extant species of sloths and anteaters and compared our results with previous data obtained by our group using 16S RNA mtDNA in the same specimens and to GenBank sequences of the extinct giant sloth Mylodon. Our results suggest that pigmy-anteaters may be a case of the long-branch attraction phenomenon and also show the large genetic difference between the Amazonian and Atlantic forest three-toed sloths, contrasting with the small differences observed between the two non-Atlantic forest forms of sloths. These results have important implications for the taxonomy of sloths and anteaters and strongly suggest the placement of pigmy anteaters in their own family (Cyclopidae) and raising the taxonomic status of Bradypus torquatus to a genus.

RESUMO

Three cases of dermatophytosis in free living brown-throated three-toed sloths (Bradypus variegatus) in the Zona da Mata, North of Pernambuco State, Brazil, were studied. Two animals presented areas of alopecia on the pelvic member and thorax and one animal on the pelvic member only. The three animals presented scabs. Hair and scabs samples were submitted to microscopical examination after treatment with a 30 % KOH and cultivated in Mycosel Agar. The direct examination indicated the presence of arthrospores in the hair. Colonies grown after seven days of culture were confirmed as Microsporum based on examination of the structure of the macroconidia. This is the first observation of dermatophytosis caused by Microsporum canis and Microsporum gypseum in free living sloths in the State of Pernambuco.

Foram estudados três casos de dermatofitose em preguiças-de-garganta-marrom (Bradypus variegatus) de vida livre na Zona da Mata, Norte do Estado de Pernambuco, Brasil. Dois animais apresentavam áreas de alopecia nos membros pélvicos e torácicos e um apenas no membro pélvico. Em todos os animais foi observada a presença de crostas. As amostras de pêlos e crostas foram submetidas ao exame microscópico direto com KOH a 30% e cultivo em Ágar Mycosel. Ao exame direto foram observados artrosporos nos pêlos e sete dias após o cultivo foram observadas colônias sugestivas do gênero Microsporum, confirmadas através da observação da estrutura dos macroconídeos. Trata-se do primeiro relato de ocorrência de dermatofitose por Microsporum canis e Microsporum gypseum em preguiças de vida livre no Estado de Pernambuco.

RESUMO

This study is a contribution to the ex situ and in situ conservation and preservation of Sloths. The behavioral records of the social interaction between mothers and offspring allow the detection of important learning interactions and psychomotor development. The results provide valuable information that may assist in improving management conditions of captive orphan progeny. They also favor a more effective monitoring of released or transferred specimens. Age is of fundamental importance in deciding what is important during the release, transfer, or reintroduction of the species.

Este estudo é uma contribuição para a conservação e a preservação ex situ e in situ de preguiças, sobretudo nesta fase de dependência de filhotes. Foi detectado, neste estudo, que as interações de aprendizado, sobretudo as de caráter alimentar, e o desenvolvimento físicomotor dependem da transferência de comportamentos da mãe. Esta interação materna com filhotes é, portanto, de fundamental importância para o desenvolvimento dos filhotes. Animais desprovidos desse aprendizado, como é o caso de animais órfãos, são mais susceptíveis a óbito quando são translocados ou reintroduzidos em seu habitat natural.

RESUMO

This study is a contribution to the ex situ and in situ conservation and preservation of Sloths. The behavioral records of the social interaction between mothers and offspring allow the detection of important learning interactions and psychomotor development. The results provide valuable information that may assist in improving management conditions of captive orphan progeny. They also favor a more effective monitoring of released or transferred specimens. Age is of fundamental importance in deciding what is important during the release, transfer, or reintroduction of the species.

Este estudo é uma contribuição para a conservação e a preservação ex situ e in situ de preguiças, sobretudo nesta fase de dependência de filhotes. Foi detectado, neste estudo, que as interações de aprendizado, sobretudo as de caráter alimentar, e o desenvolvimento físicomotor dependem da transferência de comportamentos da mãe. Esta interação materna com filhotes é, portanto, de fundamental importância para o desenvolvimento dos filhotes. Animais desprovidos desse aprendizado, como é o caso de animais órfãos, são mais susceptíveis a óbito quando são translocados ou reintroduzidos em seu habitat natural.

RESUMO

Skin scrapings of three sloths Bradypus variegatus from the State of Pernambuco, Brazil, were analysed after lactophenol clarification. The mites Sarcoptes scabiei De Geer, 1778 and Lobalges trouessarti Fonseca, 1954 were identified. For the first time, S. scabiei and L. trouessarti are recorded as mange agents in B. variegatus.